Removable floor jack saddle

Abstract

Methods and systems involving a jack having removable and interchangeable saddles are disclosed for lifting vehicles and other items. The jack includes a saddle base having a retention member whereby the saddles can be interchanged for different vehicles or items without the use of special tools. For example, each saddle includes an engagement member having an indent therein for engagement with the retention member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A jack, comprising:
 a frame;   a jacking mechanism coupled to the frame including a handle and a lifting arm movable relative to the frame in response to movement of the handle;   a saddle base coupled to the lifting arm;   a saddle adapted to be removably coupled to the saddle base and including:
 a lift portion including a lift point interface adapted to engage a lift point of an item to be lifted; and 
 an engagement member extending from the lift portion and including an indent adapted to engage a retention member in the saddle base to removably couple the saddle to the saddle base. 
   
     
     
         2 . The jack of  claim 1 , wherein the retention member includes a ball and a spring adapted to bias the ball into detainable engagement with the indent. 
     
     
         3 . The jack of  claim 2 , wherein the saddle base includes:
 a first opening adapted to receive the engagement member; and   a second opening in an interior side of the saddle base adapted to receive the ball and spring.   
     
     
         4 . The jack of  claim 1 , wherein the retention member includes:
 a pin extending into the saddle base and adapted to engage the indent; and   a knob coupled to the pin, the knob being adapted to move the pin into engagement with the indent in response to rotation of the knob in a first direction, and move the pin out of engagement with the indent in response to rotation of the knob in a second direction.   
     
     
         5 . The jack of  claim 4 , wherein the saddle base includes:
 a first opening adapted to receive the engagement member; and   a second opening in a side of the saddle base and angularly displaced with respect to the first opening, the second opening being adapted to receive the pin.   
     
     
         6 . The jack of  claim 1 , wherein the retention member includes:
 a pin extending into the saddle base and adapted to engage the indent;   a knob coupled to the pin; and   a spring adapted to bias the pin into engagement with the indent, wherein the knob is adapted to move the pin out of engagement with the indent in response to movement of the knob in a direction away from the indent.   
     
     
         7 . The jack of  claim 6 , wherein the saddle base includes:
 a first opening adapted to receive the engagement member; and   a second opening in a side of the saddle base and angularly displaced with respect to the first opening, the second opening being adapted to receive the pin.   
     
     
         8 . The jack of  claim 6 , wherein the retention member further includes a housing disposed around the pin, and wherein the spring is disposed in the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The jack of  claim 8 , wherein the retention member further includes a flange portion on the pin and adapted to limit movement of the pin into the saddle base, and wherein the spring is adapted to bias the flange portion toward the saddle base. 
     
     
         10 . The jack of  claim 1 , wherein the lift point interface is a pinch weld lift point interface. 
     
     
         11 . The jack of  claim 1 , wherein the lift point interface is a standard lift point interface. 
     
     
         12 . The jack of  claim 1 , wherein the saddle is one of a plurality of saddles, wherein each of the saddles includes a different lift point interface. 
     
     
         13 . A mechanism for use in interchanging saddles of a jack, comprising:
 a detent retention mechanism in a saddle base of the jack; and   a saddle adapted to engage the detent retention mechanism and removably couple the saddle to the saddle base, the saddle including:
 a lift portion including a lift point interface adapted to engage a lift point of a vehicle; and 
 an engagement member extending from the lift portion and adapted to engage the detent retention mechanism and removably couple the saddle to the saddle base. 
   
     
     
         14 . The mechanism of  claim 13 , wherein the detent retention mechanism includes a ball and a spring adapted to bias the ball into engagement with the engagement member. 
     
     
         15 . The mechanism of  claim 13 , wherein the detent retention mechanism includes:
 a pin adapted to engage the engagement member; and   a knob coupled to the pin, the knob being adapted to move the pin into engagement with the engagement member in response to rotation of the knob in a first direction, and move the pin out of engagement with the engagement member in response to rotation of the knob in a second direction.   
     
     
         16 . The mechanism of  claim 13 , wherein the detent retention mechanism includes:
 a pin adapted to engage the engagement member;   a knob coupled to the pin; and   a spring adapted to bias the pin into engagement with the engagement member, wherein the knob is adapted to move the pin out of engagement with the engagement member in response to movement of the knob in a direction away from the engagement member.   
     
     
         17 . The mechanism of  claim 16 , wherein the detent retention mechanism further includes a housing disposed around the pin, and wherein the spring is disposed in the housing. 
     
     
         18 . The mechanism of  claim 17 , wherein the detent retention mechanism further includes a flange portion on the pin, and wherein the spring is adapted to bias the flange portion thereby biasing the pin into engagement with the engagement member. 
     
     
         19 . The mechanism of  claim 13 , wherein the lift point interface is a pinch weld lift point interface. 
     
     
         20 . The mechanism of  claim 13 , wherein the saddle is one of a plurality of saddles, wherein each of the saddles includes a different lift point interface.